Hello everyone!

So where have my sleeping bag and I been since we last met? I have spent many nights out on my back desk sleeping with the family under the star draped sky. One of my favorite things to do by the way. However, those are not the stories I want to share today.

In the middle of July I packed my car, making sure I had my sleeping bag, and headed to Washington to run the Newman Lake 25K. The run was set around the beautiful area of Newman Lake, thus the name. It was a course that took us around the lake on wooded roads. At some points I could look down and see the lake and would then wonder how far I had left to run. After about 4 miles the hills started and boy was that fun. It certainly presented a challenge but nothing too difficult to overcome.

I followed a lady for a couple of miles before being able to muster enough energy to catch her and run with her for a while. Thank heavens I had some of those energy chews in my pocket cause I may of had to stay behind her for the rest of the course. We talked for a minute and I have forgotten her name but the conversation made that time pass quickly. If that particular lady happens to be reading this, sorry I have forgotten your name but it sure was nice to meet you and I wish you the best in your future races.

I left my new friend just before mile marker 7 and it was then just me and the road. And my mind! Yikes! I thought about how great I was feeling and how pretty the course was and how great it would be to put up my tent that night and lay on my fluffy sleeping bag. Then came mile marker 8, and 9, still feeling great. I was always happy to see an aid station so I could walk for 30 seconds and take a sip of nice cold water and eat an energy chew. I've come to really like those little things! Kinda like big, fat, squishy and sticky gummy bears. Yum.

At aid station 12 I could feel my right thigh tighten a little and slowed my pace up to help keep good form and kept running to see mile 13. I kept waiting and waiting and it wasn't coming. I was starting to get a little discouraged and then I saw marker 14, an aid station, AND a very large hill. Need-less-to say, I walked up that large hill and ran again at the top knowing I was only 1.5 miles from a long rest, some good food and one step closer to my sleeping bag. I kept waiting to see my friend come back up the course to find me and finish with me and had finally decided she was going to just leave me out there to die, I mean finish, on my own. :)

I was told this finish was all down hill and I kept waiting for that to come as I climbed one rolling hill after another. Finally, with about a quarter mile to go, which was all down hill, I saw my friend, gave her my water belt and took off in a sprint to the finish. I was trying to come in under two and a half hours. The clock said 2:31:26. I was bummed but later found out that everyone's times would be changed by about 2 mins due to a timing issue. Whoo hoo I did it!!

After a great breakfast and awards it was off to a most beautiful place in Washington of which I have been sworn to secrecy not to reveal. The comfort of my bag that night was amazing as I lay my tired body down for a great nights sleep in the fresh mountain air. We were surrounded by pine trees, a sky filled with stars, a beautiful river bubbling in the background and the peace of the night. Oh, did I mention the hum of vehicles as they passed by on the highway which the campground was set off of? Actually, I hardly knew it was there as I felt like I was in a bit of heaven.

We shared our camp site the first night with a gentleman from New York as there were no other sites available. What a fun way to meet new friends.

After Washington I found myself at Redfish Lake near Stanley, Idaho. Oh the beauty!! I will share soon.

My next outdoor adventure will come in a couple of days, when I will camp at the base of the Tetons and prepare to hike Table Rock Mountain. I can't wait!!

I will get some pictures posted of my Washington trip along with my Table Rock trip, when I get back. Stay in touch for more adventures with me and my sleeping bag.

Until then, go be adventurous and have some great fun with your own sleeping bag.

Hey! Did I mention that if you don't have a sleeping bag or are looking for another one or other sleeping comforts, you can visit us at www.SleepingBagStation.com. We would love to see you there.

Happy Camping - Jen